Days Go By, Glycerine: Big Board, Jan. 15 Edition

This song is one I just got off a commercial I heard. Great song by a band I consider almost a one-hit wonder, Bush. Chord progressions were the same as the song used in the commercial. Nevertheless, I don’t need to bore you with musical details. Just trying to open some of you up to random musical selections and genres.

I apologize for not typing this up until almost a week later than I actually wrote this piece.

Classes restarting and trying to establish my new NFL exclusive Twitter feed (@tripleddraft) have me locked up at random times. I’m trying to get as much done as I can on the off nights I have, taking breaks for laundry and Tom’s Hot Fries (nowhere near as good as Andy Kapp’s) only. I now give to you my Big Board, Jan. 15 edition!

DAN KITCHEN’S BEST AVAILABLE

1. Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M (1)

Still the safest pick and most standout tackle prospect in years, Joeckel may have top prospect status locked up from now until April.

2. Bjorn Werner, DE, FSU (6)

The benefactor of another shaky week by potential top 5 prospects, Werner’s consistency could lock him here until April.

3. Damontre Moore, HY, Texas A&M (4)

Moore has some big showcases coming up. Incredible numbers could steal Werner’s #2 spot, bad numbers could drop him into the lower portion of the Best Available list.

4. Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia (3)

See Moore, Damontre (above).

5. Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah (2)

A victim of the unpredictability of the early draft season, Lotulelei is another who could fall or soar based on numbers.

6. Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama (9)

Warmack may or may now grade out to be the “next big thing” at guard, but the incumbent, David DeCastro of the Steelers, fell in the draft and underperformed his rookie year. Top 10 guys don’t always go that high.

7. Manti Te’o, ILB, Notre Dame (5)

This was written around the time the girlfriend hoax story was broken, but I hold true to my assessment. Until I have definitive proof his character is flawed or I see his performance fall because of it, Te’o has the skills and ability to go higher than seventh overall.

8. Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama (10)

A benefactor of offensive tackles Taylor Lewan and Jake Matthews going back to school (Milliner would have fallen out of my Best Available soon had both stayed in), Milliner needs to prove himself better to stay here.

9. Jonathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State (11)

Hankins’ size conflicts with his ability. One is a problem and one is a benefit, but both can not be the same in one discussion. If they are, he may stay here longer.

10. Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri (14)

Another benefactor of the 2 OT’s returning, Richardson has done plenty to supplant Hankins as #2 DT in the class. It’s just a matter of time now…

Biggest Risers: Werner & Richardson +4, Warmack +3

Biggest Fallers: Lotulelei -3

Rose onto Best Available: Hankins, Richardson

Fell off Best Available: None

THE REST OF THE BIG BOARD

11. Barkevious Mingo, HY, LSU (16)

He benefits from a horrid class and untapped potential.

12. Jonathan Cooper, OG, UNC (19)

With time and a bad performance by Milliner or Hankins, Cooper could break the Top 10.

13. Barrett Jones, OL, Alabama (12)

The ability to play any O-line position and his presence on so many trophy watch lists make Jones a steal if he falls as low as everyone thinks.

14. Dion Jordan, HY, Oregon (13)

Labrum injuries may hurt his rank, but Jordan, when healthy, has talent to slot here.

15. Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia (17)

His stock coudl rise if he chooses either OLB or ILB as his exclusive position and trains as such.

16. Alex Okafor, DE, Texas (42)

If you have any doubt he should be lower, check his 4.5 sack performance in Texas’ bowl game.

17. Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan (20)

Should skyrocket; not because of talent (which is there), but because of desperation by teams at the now underwhelming OT class.

18. Jonathan Banks, CB, Mississippi State (15)

Banks’ stock is falling fast. Some good numbers are needed to guarantee his first-round status.

19. Kenny Vacarro, S, Texas (24)

One of the 3 top safeties in the draft, Vacarro’s upside should hold him steady through now.

20. Xaiver Rhodes, CB, Florida State (27)

Rhodes’ stock is continuing to rise with the futility of the other corners in the class. It could rise further if he learns to play safety as well.

21. Ezekial Ansah, DE, BYU (21)

He made it this high with a beginning knowledge of the game. Imagine how great he’ll be once his mind is seasoned.

22. Keenan Allen, WR, California (25)

The top WR in the class by some (not saying much this year), Allen has a lot to prove to garner a sure-fire round one pick.

23. Sam Montgomery, HY, LSU (18)

A pitiful year and unproven success could drop Montgomery out of round one.

24. Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame (33)

Eifert had the skills to earn a captain’s status on an Irish team that (at the time) though all of Te’o’s motivation was genuine.

25. Eric Reid, S, LSU (26)

His size and what skill he’s consistently shown hold him here. His Combine and other stats shall determine his fate.

Biggest Risers: Okafor +26, Eifert +9, Rhodes & Cooper +7

Biggest Fallers: Montgomery -5, Banks -3

Rose onto Big Board: Okafor, Rhodes, Eifert, Reid

Fell off Big Board: Geno Smith

ON THE WAITING LIST (I must think of a better name for filling out my Top 50)

26. Matt Elam, S, Florida (34)

Basically sits at #25 as well. There’s little to no difference between the top three safeties of the class.

27. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee (NR)

Will quickly supplant Allen as proven top WR in class.

28. Shariff Floyd, DT, Florida (NR)

Quick moves and potential finally beginning to turn heads.

29. Arthur Brown, ILB, Kansas State (39)

A switch to ILB makes him this year’s Bobby Wagner (only now every team knows about him. Leads to a much higher selection.)

30. Jonathan Jenkins, DT, Georgia (50)

Starting to lose some attention with the rise of so many other D-linemen.

31. Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia (29)

The only holding him back is his size (comparable to Wes Welker, who not many teams can utilize well).

32. Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama (43)

All it takes is more experts ranking him high, and he’s in my Top 20. All it takes.

33. Terrence Williams, WR, Baylor (28)

Could compete with Patterson and Allen with some gaudy numbers at the Combine.

34. Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas (32)

Have him ranked as my top QB now because he offers the best combo of upside, proven ability, and size.

35. Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia (22)

Still can’t imagine a team spending a high pick on him without some shaky feeling in their stomach. Doesn’t mean he’s a bad QB though.

36. David Amerson, CB, NC State (36)

One more bad showing in man coverage drops him off my list all together.

37. Jordan Poyer, CB, Oregon State (30)

Consistency has him in my second round without falling.

38. Matt Barkley, QB, USC (35)

If he somehow manages to recover enough to show why he has so much career hype, he will skyrocket.

39. Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford (45)

Needs to become well-rounded to beat out Eifert as top TE.

40. Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina (38)

See Williams, Jesse (#32).

41. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson (NR)

Won’t get as high as Patterson, but possibly #2 WR of the class.

42. Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma (47)

I need to see more before I vault him into top 25 based on class position rank alone.

43. D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama (NR)

He should go in round one once he shows his strength numbers in February.

44. Logan Ryan, CB, Rutgers (NR)

Flirting with the first round, I think he is better suited near Poyer’s range.

45. Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse (47)

Has a slight, slight chance to be the highest QB taken in April.

46. Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU (NR)

The next in a rotating door of high LB prospects.

47. Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama (NR)

BCS Championship performance makes him best of a RB class devoid of a star.